ST. LOUIS – The arguments over the best player in the National Hockey League often begin and end with Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby.

Ryan Getzlaf is respected throughout the league but rarely comes up in that conversation. But the Ducks and their opponents might now be seeing the big center at the absolute best of his nine-year career.

Getzlaf was a force once again Saturday night, providing a personal hand in two first-period goals that built a big lead for the Ducks in their 5-2 win over St. Louis at Scottrade Center.

“I think he’s on another level, personally,” winger Andrew Cogliano said. “He’s too big. Too strong with the puck. And he’s just too smart. I think when he’s on his game, it’s at another level. He’s just a dominant player.”

At 28, Getzlaf is currently on a big roll. His two points marked the 13th consecutive game he has scored and the Ducks captain has totaled 10 goals and 10 assists over that span.

Only Crosby and Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin have more points than Getzlaf’s 36, and the center’s 16 goals in 29 games already top the 15 he scored in 44 games last season.

“I’ve only seen him 21/2 years out of his eight or nine,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I’ll tell you what. He’s as good a leader as I’ve ever seen right now. He’s as good as anybody.”

Getzlaf deflected credit for his play of late, pointing instead to his success with Corey Perry and Dustin Penner.

“It’s been a good stretch here,” Getzlaf said. “We’re playing things the right way. I got two linemates that are playing great, and as a team, we’re playing good.

“It makes my life a little bit easier when I can go out there and play confidently and play for this group.”

Once criticized for not shooting the puck enough, Getzlaf isn’t hearing as many cries from the coaching staff and the fans for him to do so this season.

“I hope not,” he said. “You know what? I’m still about 40 or 50 shots behind Perry like normal. They’re just finding their way in now.”

MAROON AT HOME

There was a chance Pat Maroon would play in his native St. Louis last season, but that didn’t happen when he had to be sent to the minors after the Ducks traded for David Steckel.

Maroon’s dream was realized Saturday, much to the delight of several dozen family members and friends that included his 5-year-old son, Anthony. The big winger was a star youth player and Blues fan who went to games at the old St. Louis Arena.

“It was exciting,” Maroon said, “especially with the ‘W’. We came out of here with two points. It’s just very emotional. Family, friends … I thought I played pretty good.”

The night got even better when Maroon set up Nick Bonino’s goal. Boudreau also put him on the ice at the end in an attempt to get him a goal.

“I was just feeling like it was a lot of pressure on me,” Maroon said. “I’ve got to go out there and play well. And I thought we did a really good job on that tonight. Got lucky on an assist there.

“I just got to keep plugging away now. It was fun. These are the moments you won’t forget. Especially this first one.”

BEAUCHEMIN CLOSER

Defenseman Francois Beauchemin is targeting the Dec. 15 home game against Edmonton as a possible return date as he recovers from an unspecified upper-body injury that’s kept him out of the last eight games.

Beauchemin said he is trying to increase his strength as he feels he’s at “50 percent” when it comes to shooting the puck.

“It’s been good to just get back on the ice and be moving again,” Beauchemin said. “I’m just going to keep practicing for a couple more days and see how things are going to go. Hopefully I’ll get back soon.”

GIBSON HURT

Touted goaltending prospect John Gibson left Norfolk’s game in the second period Friday after a collision with Syracuse’s Mike Angelidis, but Ducks GM Bob Murray said the injury is not serious.

Often seen as the Ducks’ goalie of the future, Gibson has an 8-5-3 record, 2.31 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in the AHL.

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